what are the benefits and drawbacks of using a mainframe vs a server for applications?

Question

This is a project for work, that I cannot find a good answer to.

Answer 1

I am assuming that you are talking about old technology. Green screen processing on the mainframe.
Well the mainframe does all the work. From retrieving the data to building and transmitting the data and screen format to the users terminal. Because there is a direct link to the main computer, response times can be quite fast. However, due to the work that the mainframe has to perform to deliver the data there is a potential limit to the number of users that can access the data concurrently.

One main benefit of the mainframe computer is the ability to process vast amounts of data in batch processing without any user intervention.

With Client server technology the server only retrieves data and only transmits that data. The screen format or window is sent as text to the client and then is built on the client pc along with the data. There is no limit to the number of users that can access the server as the log on is a logical logon and not physical. Also all requests to the server are queued and actioned on a first in first out basis. This may cause a delay to processing but it will all be done eventually.

I hope this helps as a starting point.

Answer 2

An interesting question. Historically many companies have been decommissioning their large, expensive and clunky mainframes. These days with the mainframe price cuts and the 2006 introduction of new System z lines, the line between mainframe and server is being blurred. I'm not sure there are significant benefits or drawbacks of using a mainframe vs a server for applications.